Borderlands 4 Early Access Was \"Amazing\" According to Fan

Caleb McAlpine, a dedicated Borderlands fan facing a cancer diagnosis, recently lived out a dream: playing the upcoming Borderlands 4. Thanks to the outpouring support of the gaming community and Gearbox Software, his wish became a reality. Read on to learn about this heartwarming story.

Gearbox Grants a Fan's Wish

An Exclusive Borderlands 4 Preview

Caleb McAlpine, a passionate Borderlands player battling cancer, received an incredible gift: early access to Borderlands 4. In a November 26th Reddit post, he recounted his journey to Gearbox's studio, where he met developers and experienced the highly anticipated game firsthand.

Caleb's reaction? "We got to play what they have for Borderlands 4 so far and it was amazing," he enthusiastically shared. He detailed the trip: "Gearbox flew me and a friend down first class on the 20th, and we toured the studio, meeting amazing people, from Borderlands developers to Randy Pitchford, the CEO."

Following this extraordinary experience, Caleb and his friend enjoyed a VIP stay at the Omni Frisco Hotel, including a tour of the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters. The hotel's generosity added to the unforgettable trip.

While Caleb remained tight-lipped about specific Borderlands 4 details, he emphasized the "amazing experience," expressing gratitude to everyone who helped make his wish come true.

A Community Rallies Behind a Fan

On October 24th, 2024, Caleb initially shared his heartfelt request on Reddit. He openly discussed his prognosis, stating, "I was given 7-12 months, and even if chemo slows the cancer, I still have less than two years." His wish? To play Borderlands 4 before it was too late. He posed the question, "Is there anyone who knows how to contact Gearbox to see if playing the game early is possible?"

This "long shot" request resonated deeply with the Borderlands community. An outpouring of support followed, with many reaching out to Gearbox to advocate for Caleb.

Randy Pitchford, Gearbox's CEO, responded swiftly via Twitter(X), stating, "Caleb and I are now chatting via email and we’re going to do whatever we can to make something happen." Within a month, Gearbox fulfilled Caleb's wish.

A GoFundMe campaign continues to support Caleb's fight against cancer. The campaign has already surpassed $12,415 USD, exceeding its initial goal, demonstrating the widespread support for Caleb and his story.